BOOK III. organ gallery. An arch of the like form is also constructed at the east end above the altar windows. The spandrils of all these arches are pierced with circles, giving an air of great lightness and elegance to the whole composition. The side aisles are occupied by galleries, sustained on an architrave supported by Doric columns. From the architrave four octagonal pillars without capitals are carried up, and sustain five semicircular arches springing immediately from the pillars, without the intervention of imposts, and occupying the spaces between the piers at the east and western ends; the divisions eastward of the piers are covered by plain circular arches. A gallery crosses the west end of the church, in which is erected the organ. On each side of this instrument is an additional gallery for the charity children. The ceiling is handsomely panelled. The altar-screen is very elegant, and above it three arched windows are occupied by pleasingly executed subjects in stained glass, by Mr. Collins, of the Strand. The centre one contains an oval medallion bearing the head of our Saviour crowned with thorns, the size of life, from the picture of Christ bearing his cross, by Carlo Dolci; it is encircled with rich Mosaic composition, and finished by a border of honeysuckle-work, in vivid colours. This window was the gift of Mr. Firth, an inhabitant of the parish. The side windows contain the Charge to St. Peter, after Rafaelle's celebrated cartoon, and the Angel delivering St. Peter from prison, from the painting in the Vatican by the same divine master. The two windows last described were the gift of Mr. Soane, the architect of the building. The pulpit and reading-desk are executed in oak, and rest upon columns on the opposite sides of the nave. In the tower is a peal of eight bells.

church.

Trinity Church, Newington Butts, is situated on the CHAP. I. south side of Trinity square, at a short distance from Trinity Blackman street, and nearly on the verge of the parish of St. Mary Newington. It is enclosed in a small square of handsome houses, with a plantation in the centre, and ornamented with a statue of King Alfred. The portico and principal front of the edifice, with the steeple, is placed on the north side of the body of the church, instead of the usual situation at the west end. The portico consists of six fluted Corinthian columns, supporting a plain entablature and pediment. In the wall behind are five entrances. The steeple is in two stories; the first consists of a plinth, pierced with a circular aperture in each face for the dials, and surmounted by two Doric columns in each elevation, the angles finished in antis; the intercolumniations are filled with weather boards. Upon the second story a square pedestal, ornamented on its sides with long panels filled with carved honeysuckles, serves as a plinth to an octagon tower, with a ball and cross on the apex of its roof, which finishes the elevation.

The body of the church is a parallelogram situated east and west, and in height is divided into two stories, by a plain course. In both stories is a series of segment arched windows. The angles are finished with antæ, and the entablature is continued as a finish round the whole building; both the east and west ends are terminated with pediments. On the centre of the south side is a projection, containing a flight of stairs to the gallery, and an entrance beneath it to the church. The roof is covered with copper.

The interior presents a large unbroken area, roofed in one span. The walls are finished with an entablature, charged with a rich honeysuckle moulding, resting

BOOK III. on antæ of the Ionic order, ranging from the floor of the church to the architrave. The ceiling is panelled; in the centre of each pannel is a large expanded flower. The south, north, and western sides are occupied by galleries resting on Doric pillars. The clock in front of the western gallery was the gift of David King, Esq., an inhabitant of the parish, and justice of peace for the county. The altar screen, situated below the eastern window, consists of a pediment surmounting four slabs, inscribed with the decalogue, &c. The window above contains some poorly executed stained glass. On the north side, two galleries, situated in deep recesses and built above the vestibules of the principal entrance, contain sittings for the charity children. The pulpit and reading desk are counterparts of each other, and stand on opposite sides of the church. The font stands in the nave beneath the western gallery; it is composed of Croggan and Co.'s artificial stone, and enriched with honeysuckles and other Grecian mouldings. The design is an antique vase, with handles. In the gallery is placed the organ, in an oak case, with gilt ornaments. A chandelier of brass depends from the centre of the roof.

The first stone was laid on the 2d of June, 1823, by the late archbishop of Canterbury. On the 16th of December, 1824, it was consecrated by the same primate. The parish, though situated in the diocese of Winchester, is a peculiar of the archbishop, who was attended by Sir John Nicholl, Knt. as dean of the Arches. The present is said to be the largest of the new churches yet erected. It contains sittings in pews for 277 persons, free seats 519, seats for charity children 252, making a total number of 2048; but a far greater number can always be accommodated without